Importance

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Abstract

A lifting system (FIG. 3) for lifting a hanging flexible elongate member such as an umbilical 10 without disconnecting its ends comprises a foundation member 21 permanently clamped to the umbilical at a lifting point and a removable lifting member 22 suspended from winch 63 of lifting mechanism 23. The foundation member has a rigid body portion 25, including a downwardly facing shoulder 29, and a bend restrictor 26 at its upper end and the lifting member comprises a pair of hinged semicylindrical segments 40, 41 which can be joined about an upper part of the umbilical to form an annular carrier of support members 45 movable radially by hydraulic actuators 50. The lifting member is initially applied with support members withdrawn, to slide down the umbilical and past the foundation member, the support members then being brought together and the lifting member raised, engagement of the support members with shoulder 29 lifting also the foundation member and umbilical. Loading forces between umbilical and lifting means are spread over the contacting length of the foundation member and flexing of the umbilical is kept within to safe radius of curvature by the bend restrictor. The removable lifting member prevents fouling with equipment at other times and can be caused to lift from an inaccessible lifting point while being applied to the umbilical at a higher more accessible point.

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First Claim